Deadline

Chuck Lorre is in active negotiations with Ashton Kutcher to replace Charlie Sheen on "Two and a Half Men" ... sources familiar with the negotiations tell TMZ.

We're told a deal has not been signed, but Lorre believes Kutcher is the guy who can keep "Men" alive and well.

But Lorre has two other prospects, sources say, if the Kutcher deal falls through. Our sources would not identify the other two actors.

We're told Lorre wanted Hugh Grant to replace Charlie, but those negotiations hit a brick wall.

Our sources say a decision on Charlie's replacement will be made by Wednesday.

Stay tuned...

Smith's double-decker luxury trailer was plonked down in the middle of a tiny street in Soho while the actor shot "Men in Black III" -- but after several residents complained it was blocking traffic, giving off fumes, and screwing up local businesses ... the studio towed it to a nearby parking lot.

And to give you an idea of how absurd this thing is -- the 53-foot trailer also boasts marble floors, a massive 100-inch TV, a bedroom, and several offices.

They're at the business class desk right now, with a bunch of tacky, animal print luggage.

The guys, we're told, are on the way.

Sources close to Frank tell TMZ, he hopes to start shopping his show as soon as he locks down his tell-all book deal -- whenever that happens.

As for WHY Frank's doing this -- we're told his own kids once said he had no talent ... and now he's out to prove them wrong.

If the reality show doesn't work out -- sources tell us, Frank is also open to hosting or co-hosting some kind of talk show.

Now THAT would be entertaining.

TMZ spoke with Mia's husband -- Michael Yard -- who told us the actress went under the knife Monday to correct an ongoing issue with her knee stemming from an old college basketball injury.

Yard -- who was in NY at the time -- tells us he spoke with Mia Tuesday morning and she sounded normal and in good spirits.

However, hours later -- Mike says he got a phone call from Mia's cousin informing him that she was taking Mia to the hospital because Mia had been suffering from a bout of dizziness.

Soon after, Mike says the unthinkable happened -- he got another phone call informing him his wife had passed away.

According to legal documents filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Paul Glaser's ex, Tracy Barone, claims the actor has flaked on $3,224 in child support payments and $13,000 in spousal support.

Glaser and Barone divorced in 2007, citing "irreconcilable differences" -- they have a 13 year old daughter.

As we previously reported, Glaser just scored a legal victory against an obsessed female fan -- scoring a restraining order against the woman after she camped out in front of his home.

Sources connected to the production tell us ... filmmakers went to the Volo Auto Museum in Illinois last week and BOUGHT a pair of 1929 Duesenbergs and a 1929 Packard -- both intended to be used by DiCaprio's character, Jay Gatsby.

TMZ spoke to a rep from Volo who tells us three cars are valued at anywhere from $800 thousand to $3 MILLION each -- but the rep wouldn't reveal how much cash producers plunked down for the rides.

We're told the cars are scheduled to be shipped out to the movie set in Australia in the next few weeks.

Marc Fiore -- the executive producer of "Gotti: Three Generations" -- tells us, "Pacino will portray Gambino crime family underboss and Gotti associate Neil Dellacroce (picture above)."

Fiore adds, "We are very pleased to have Al join the extraordinary team that we are assembling to make this movie."

FYI -- Dellacroce's mafia nickname was "The Tall Guy" ... presumably because he was tall ... and Pacino is only around 5'6". Thank god for special effects.

Animal Defenders International claims the video shows Tai, the elephant in the movie ... and several other elephants ... being trained with electric shock devices and bull hooks back in 2005.

ADI claims the trainers in the video are actually Tai's current owners -- a company called Have Trunk Will Travel.

The American Humane Association was on set during filming of "Water for Elephants" and says "no animals were harmed" ... and filmmakers used computer generated images for the scenes depicting animal abuse.

Calls to Have Trunk Will Travel were not returned.

UPDATE: A rep for AHA tells us, "We were not present when this video was shot in 2005. We are not clear about all of the content of this video."

Bieber just went to his Twitter page and without mentioning Marg by name ... said, "it's kinda lame when someone you met briefly and never worked with comments on you. I will continue to wish them luck and be kind."

As we previously reported, Marg went on a French radio show and said JB was "kind of a brat" when he guest starred on the show earlier this year.

Leakes tells us her feud with Star Jones was REAL -- and says she was legitimately upset with Trump when Donald changed the teams on last night's show to "accommodate" the former "View" chatterbox.

NeNe tells us, "Trump was doing things to accommodate Star and not me."

Leakes says she felt producers were constantly trying to "provoke" her ... noting, "All of the manipulating ... was very toxic. It was a very toxic situation."

She adds, "I'm not a quitter or a loser ... I had to walk out of the show for my own sanity."

Our sources say there's so much security and hoopla over the President's visit Thursday, it would be too much of a hassle to shoot around it. So they're waiting till the Prez leaves, but shooting will begin late this week.

It all hit the fan when Donald Trump reordered the teams on the show ... after Star told The Donald she couldn't work with her arch-enemy NeNe anymore.

An obviously FURIOUS Leakes stormed off to her hotel and told Trump, "You can't just accommodate her ... that's not fair."

NeNe then explained, "Mr. Trump bought into her bulls**t and i dont have to stay here and put up with BS to raise money for my charity. The best thing for me to do is just walk away."

Justin Bieber, "un sale gosse" chez Les Experts by Europe1fr

Helgenberger appeared on French radio show "Le Grand Direct des Médias" on Friday where she prefaced the slight with "I shouldn't be saying this, but ..." Always a good sign!

She also said the Biebs locked a producer in a closet and put his fist through a cake.

Good thing she never had to work with Charlie Sheen.

Paula only closed her deal last night, says Deadline, which is cutting it pretty darn close ... considering taping begins today in Los Angeles. The show announced yesterday that Nicole Scherzinger and British TV personality Steve Jones will co-host.